Conference championship weekend is here, the last step before the College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled on Dec. 2.
Every FBS conference has a championship game now, and that will help fill in the New Year's Day Six bowl puzzle, too. With that in mind, here is a primer for championship weekend, and a reason to watch all 10 games:
MORE: OSU reminds it's still CFP materialPac-12: Utah (9-3) vs. Washington (9-3)
When: 8 p.m., Friday
TV: FOX
Reason to watch: The Pac-12 will not have a Playoff team, but this a matchup between two sound teams with the Rose Bowl at stake. Washington won the regular-season meeting 21-7 on Sept. 15. It would be a statement for the Utes to win their first Pac-12 championship, but the same could be argued for the Huskies, whose three losses were by a combined 10 points.
MAC: Northern Illinois (7-5) vs. Buffalo (10-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
TV: ESPN2
Reason to watch: Lance Leipold has the Bulls in position to win their first MAC championship since 2008, and he is a coach primed to move up the ranks soon. Buffalo remains the established power around receiver Anthony Johnson. The Huskies, meanwhile, are back in the championship game for the seventh time in nine seasons despite losing their last two games.
AAC: UCF (11-0) vs. Memphis (8-4)
When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
TV: ABC
Reason to watch: The Knights can complete a second straight unbeaten season, even if it’s without McKenzie Milton, who suffered a gruesome leg injury in last week’s victory against South Florida. Memphis has a high-flying offense led by running back Darrell Henderson, and this is a rematch of last year’s 62-55 shootout.
MORE: When will Harbaugh show responsibility in OSU losses?
MWC: Fresno State (10-2) vs. Boise State (10-2)
When: 7:45 p.m., Saturday
TV: ESPN
Reason to watch: It’s the fourth time these teams have met the last two seasons, and a rematch of a matchup the Broncos won 24-17 in the regular season. Fresno State has a tough defense, and this is a chance for Marcus McMaryion and Brett Rypien to put on another show.
Sun Belt: App State (9-2) vs. Louisiana (7-5)
When: Noon, Saturday
TV: ESPN
Reason to watch: The Ragin' Cajuns are in the inaugural Sun Belt championship game with first-year coach Billy Napier after winning their last three games. They'll be up against the Mountaineers, who have a chance for an outright title after sharing first place the last two seasons.
Big 12: Texas (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)
When: Noon, Saturday
TV: ABC
Reason to watch: The Sooners get a chance to rectify a 48-45 loss to the Longhorns on Oct. 6, and this time the storied Big 12 rivals will meet at Jerry World. It's a win-win for the conference. If Oklahoma wins, it will have a chance to make the Playoff. If Texas wins, then the Longhorns are officially "back." We told you Tom Herman vs. Lincoln Riley would be fun.
MORE: Highlights from Saturday's games
C-USA: UAB (9-3) vs. MTSU (8-4)
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
TV: CBS Sports Network
Reason to watch: Brent Stockstill led the Blue Raiders to a 27-3 victory against the Blazers in the regular-season finale, and now Middle Tennessee State gets to host the Conference-USA championship game. The Blazers have a chance to win the C-USA in their second season back after a two-year hiatus.
SEC: Alabama (12-0) vs. Georgia (11-1)
When: 4 p.m., Saturday
TV: CBS
Reason to watch: It's the only conference championship game where the winner is all but guaranteed a Playoff spot, not to mention a rematch of last year's College Football Playoff championship game. The intrigue lies in the argument whether the Crimson Tide — which finished off its fourth unbeaten regular season under Nick Saban — can still get in if they lose. Enjoy another round of Tua Tagovailoa and Jake Fromm on the same field.
ACC: Clemson (12-0) vs. Pitt (7-5)
When: 8 p.m., Saturday
TV: ABC
Reason to watch: The Tigers are shooting for a fourth consecutive ACC championship, and this team has settled in nicely around freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Pitt lost to Penn State, UCF and Miami in blowout fashion but kept it close with Notre Dame. The Panthers also beat the Tigers 43-42 in 2016. The contrast in styles should make it interesting for a while.
MORE: FSU's bowl streak ends at 36 years
Big Ten: Northwestern (8-4) vs. Ohio State (11-1)
When: 8 p.m., Saturday
TV: FOX
Reason to watch: The Wildcats are in the Big Ten championship for the first time, a Cinderella run that will be embraced for those rooting against the Buckeyes. The Big Ten champion will know the SEC champion's fate before kickoff. Ohio State looked like a Playoff team for the first time all season in a 62-39 blowout win against Michigan. The Buckeyes have pushed their way in using style points before.
